Week of the Young Child: Celebrating Our Children and the Power of Early Childhood

At Las Colinas Children’s Academy, we believe every child’s early years deserve to be celebrated. These first years of life—birth to age five—are not only precious, they are profoundly powerful. During this time, the brain is developing more rapidly than at any other point in a person’s life, forming the building blocks for everything from language and literacy to empathy, problem-solving, and a sense of self.
That’s why Week of the Young Child is so much more than a themed celebration. It’s a national recognition of the importance of early childhood and a reminder of how vital it is to celebrate young children for who they are right now, not just for who they will become.
 
Why Early Childhood Matters
The early years are the foundation for lifelong learning and success. Research shows that by age five, a child’s brain has developed up to 90% of its adult size. That development is shaped not just by genetics, but by experiences, relationships, and the environments in which children grow.
Early childhood education isn’t just about teaching ABCs and 123s. It’s about helping children build social-emotional skills, strengthen their sense of curiosity, and develop the ability to regulate their emotions and behaviors. It’s about laying the groundwork for how they will relate to others, solve problems, express themselves, and approach the world with confidence.
At LCCA, we know that play is the work of childhood. Children learn best when they are engaged, when they feel safe, and when they’re given opportunities to explore and take risks. Through play-based experiences, children strengthen their motor skills, language abilities, critical thinking, and creative expression. Every block tower, pretend tea party, muddy outdoor adventure, or shared story contributes to brain growth and personal development.
 
Why We Celebrate Our Children
Too often, the accomplishments of young children go unnoticed. A preschooler may not read a novel or write an essay, but they learn something new every single day. They develop friendships. They learn how to share. They begin to understand how their emotions affect others. They remember a letter, count to ten, tie their shoes, or comfort a friend in need.
These are monumental achievements in early childhood development. And they deserve to be recognized.
Week of the Young Child gives us the chance to pause and reflect on all the incredible things our children are doing. It reminds us to focus not only on academic benchmarks but on the whole child—emotional growth, self-expression, resilience, creativity, and the development of their unique personalities.
When we celebrate our children, we’re not just acknowledging their milestones—we’re sending a powerful message: You are seen. You are valued. You matter. That sense of belonging and recognition is a key ingredient for healthy development.
 
How Children Learn in the Early Years
Young children learn through doing. They learn through imitation, observation, repetition, and interaction. They ask questions, test boundaries, and explore their environment with all five senses. At LCCA, we carefully craft our environments and routines to support developmentally appropriate, joyful learning.
For example:

• When toddlers stack blocks, they’re learning about spatial awareness, gravity, and cause-and-effect.
• When preschoolers pretend to cook in the dramatic play center, they’re building language, social skills, and understanding daily routines.
• When a child helps comfort a classmate, they’re practicing empathy and forming the emotional intelligence that will serve them for life.

Early learning is whole-child learning. It’s not about pushing academics too early. It’s about helping children develop in every domain—physical, cognitive, social, emotional, and language—so that when they do transition to kindergarten and beyond, they are ready not just to learn, but to thrive.
 
The Power of Relationships
One of the most important factors in a child’s development is relationships. Children thrive when they feel secure, loved, and supported by the adults around them. At LCCA, our teachers understand that learning cannot happen unless a child feels safe and connected.
Through daily routines, positive guidance, and nurturing interactions, we help children build trust, autonomy, and self-confidence. Relationships with caregivers and peers help shape a child’s view of themselves and the world. This is why early childhood educators are not just teachers—they are brain-builders, nurturers, and advocates.
 
Week of the Young Child: A Celebration of Possibility
During Week of the Young Child, we embrace a joyful opportunity to celebrate everything that makes early childhood so special. Each day has a unique theme—Music Monday, Tasty Tuesday, Work Together Wednesday, Artsy Thursday, and Family Friday—that reflects how young children learn best.
But these days are more than dress-up fun (though we love seeing everyone’s creativity!). Each theme highlights key areas of development:

• Music promotes language, rhythm, and memory.
• Cooking and food exploration support sensory development and early math skills.
• Working together encourages cooperation, respect, and social problem-solving.
• Art fosters creativity, motor skills, and self-expression.
• Family engagement strengthens the crucial home-school connection.

We also take this time to thank our families and educators—because child development is a collaborative journey. It takes a community of caring adults to support each child’s path.
 
Advocacy Through Celebration
Celebrating children also means advocating for them. Week of the Young Child reminds us that investing in the early years benefits everyone. Studies show that children who attend high-quality early childhood programs are more likely to succeed academically, graduate from high school, and have positive life outcomes.
Yet early childhood education often remains underfunded and undervalued. When we celebrate young children publicly, we elevate their voices and shine a light on the need for strong, well-supported early learning systems. We also encourage others—families, policymakers, and community leaders—to prioritize early childhood as a critical investment in our collective future.
 
A Message to Our Children
To the children of LCCA and all young learners:
You are incredible.
You are smart, creative, kind, and brave.
You are doing hard things every day, and we are so proud of you.
This week is for you—because your voice matters, your learning matters, and you matter.
 
Conclusion
Week of the Young Child is a celebration—but it’s also a call to action. It’s a time to recognize the importance of early learning, uplift the professionals who dedicate their lives to it, and most importantly, honor the children who teach us something new every single day.
At Las Colinas Children’s Academy, we are proud to be a part of each child’s story. We are committed to providing a warm, play-based, developmentally appropriate environment where children are free to grow, discover, and be celebrated every day—not just this week.
Let’s keep celebrating children. Let’s keep believing in the power of early childhood. And let’s keep building a brighter future—one small step, one silly song, one kind moment at a time.
 

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